Even when messages are encrypted, proprietary platforms collect data that feeds their business model. In this post we share free alternatives to WhatsApp, Slack and Microsoft Teams so we can communicate without handing our information over to big tech corporations.

In this series we review free software alternatives to proprietary digital tools. Today we share tools for communicating.

Messaging: alternatives to WhatsApp and Slack

  • Signal: the most direct alternative to Telegram or WhatsApp. Its main strength is end-to-end encryption, which protects its users’ privacy.
  • Element: a client for Matrix, an open and decentralised protocol. It works both for chats and for Slack-style workspaces with rooms, and it has end-to-end encryption. Since it is federated, you can use a public server, such as matrix.org, or run your own.
  • Zulip: a Slack alternative designed for teams. It organises conversations into channels and topics, which helps you keep track. Its official instance has a free plan.

Email: alternative to Outlook

Thunderbird, from the Mozilla Foundation (the same organisation that develops Firefox), is the most mature free email client. It handles multiple accounts, calendar and contacts. It is free of charge.

Browser: alternative to Chrome

Much of Chrome is based on open source code (Chromium), but it is controlled by Google, one of the corporations that collects the most data from its users. We recommend Firefox, developed by a non-profit organisation.

Video calls: alternatives to Zoom

Jitsi Meet: complete (rooms, chat, screen sharing) and accessible from the browser or mobile without installing anything. There are several public instances:

  • meet.jit.si, the official one (requires signing in to create meetings).
  • The Guifi.net instance, a Catalan community network for internet access.

Public instances can struggle with very large meetings; turning cameras off helps a lot.

BigBlueButton: designed with training in mind, with a whiteboard, polls and breakout rooms. We don’t know of any public instances, but cooperatives such as femProcomuns offer their own instances for a monthly fee.

If you think we can help you with these or other tools, write to us at [email protected] and we’ll prepare a quote for you.